A type catalog lists all of the types in a family, allowing you to select and load only the types you need for the current project, resulting in a smaller project file size.
To create a type catalog, you create an external text file (TXT) that contains the parameters and parameter values that create the different types in a specific family. You place this file in the same location as the family file so that when you select to load the family, the type catalog displays.
Notes
- Create type catalogs for families that contain 6 or more types.
- Parameter names are case sensitive.
- For system parameters, the parameter within the family must have a value previously defined for the type to load the value from the catalog properly.
- To have inch marks display in the type name, you must include 2 double quote symbols in the type catalog (see table).
To display the type name... In the type catalog, enter... 48" x 60" 48"" x 60""
3' - 6" 3' - 6""
The easiest way to create a type catalog is to use the Export Family Types tool on an existing family. Using this tool, you create the base type catalog and then modify the text file in a text editor.
Create a type catalog using the Export Family Types tool
- Open a family that contains all of the parameters and data for one or more of the base types.
Note: Only parameters that have values in the family are exported to the type catalog.
- Click File tab
Export
(Family Types).
- In the Export As dialog, verify that the type catalog has the same name as the family, but with a .txt extension, and that it will be saved in the same directory as the family file.
- Click Save.
- Open the .txt file in a text editor.
The first line in the text file is the parameter declaration. The syntax will be similar to the following:
,Length##length##inches,Width##length##inches,Height##length##inches
Syntax Description ,
The first character of the first line in the file is the delimiter. This character is used to separate each parameter definition. Length##length##inches
Defines a parameter in the family (Parameter Name##Parameter Type##Units). - Define additional parameters as needed, making sure to use the delimiter and syntax specified.
- Review the second line in the type catalog. This line defines the first type. For example, the syntax for a type could be similar to the following:
36x12x36,36,12,36
Syntax Description 36x12x36
Type name. ,
A comma is used to separate the type name from the list of parameter values, and is also a delimiter for each parameter. 36,12,36
Length parameter value = 36, Width parameter value = 12, Height parameter value = 36 - Duplicate the type syntax, and modify the type name and parameter values to create additional types in the catalog.
The following table includes a sample of the types of parameters supported in a type catalog.
| Type of Parameter | Parameter Declaration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Text | param_name##OTHER## | |
| Integer | param_name##OTHER## | |
| Number | param_name##OTHER## | |
| Length | param_name##LENGTH##FEET | |
| Area | param_name##AREA##SQUARE_FEET | |
| Volume | param_name##VOLUME##CUBIC_FEET | |
| Angle | param_name##ANGLE##DEGREES | |
| Slope | param_name##SLOPE##SLOPE_DEGREES | |
| Currency | param_name##CURRENCY## | |
| URL | param_name##OTHER## | |
| Material | param_name##OTHER## | |
| Yes/No | param_name##OTHER## | Defined as 1 or 0 with 1 equaling Yes and 0 equaling No. |
| <Family Type> | param_name##OTHER## | Family name : type name with no file extension |
| Metadata parameters : | ||
| Keynote | Keynote##OTHER## | |
| Model | Model##OTHER## | |
| Manufacturer | Manufacturer##OTHER## | |
| Type Comments | Type Comments##OTHER## | |
| URL | URL##OTHER## | |
| Description | Description##OTHER## | |
| Assembly Code | Assembly Code##OTHER## | |
| Cost | Cost##CURRENCY## | |
Sample text file and type catalog
Following is a sample type catalog TXT file:
,Manufacturer##other##,Length##length##centimeters,Width##length##centimeters,Height##length##centimeters MA36x30,Revit,36.5,2.75,30 MA40x24,Revit,40.5,3.25,24
When loading the corresponding family in a project, you would see the following type catalog:
| Type | Manufacturer | Length | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA36x30 | Revit | 36.5cm | 2.75cm | 30cm |
| MA40x24 | Revit | 40.5cm | 3.25cm | 24cm |